Note: Javascript is disabled or is not supported by your browser. For this reason, some items on this page will be unavailable. For more information about this message, please visit this page: About CDC.gov.

Occupational cancer risks from chemicals are discussed. Documentation of chemical carcinogenesis in man is difficult to obtain because cancers are not generally clinically evident until 20 to 30 years following exposure, and exposures in many workplaces are very complex. Currently there is considerable disagreement among scientists regarding the degree of exposure necessary to cause cancer. Even if a threshold of exposure could be established for individual carcinogens, it would be difficult to tabulate a worker's exposure level as he or she may be exposed to various carcinogens competing for the same target site. The recognition that an increased cancer risk exists may be brought about through epidemiologic studies and animal studies. Some recently investigated occupations include asbestos workers, auto repairmen, bakery workers, clothing pressers, coke oven workers, dairy industry workers, dental lab technicians, electricians, leather workers, photoengravers, roofers, rubber workers, and vinyl-chloride (75014) manufacturers. A tabulation is presented of confirmed and suspected occupational carcinogens by target organ. Suspected carcinogens based upon structural similarity to vinyl-chloride are listed. The use of in-vitro screening tests is noted.